All Blacks thump France, get 378 wins in 500 Tests

AFP, CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand

For the rest of the half, the defending France, led by the hard-hitting Dusautoir, “the Dark Destroyer,” kept the All Blacks at bay.

The big France push at the start of the second half came unstuck when out of frustration at not being able to breach the All Blacks defense they reverted to a drop-goal attempt, only for Sam Cane to charge down Michalak’s kick.

The All Blacks recovered the ball, with Savea leading the break downfield and sending Ben Smith over for the try.

Cruden added two further penalties before the All Blacks’ final try, another breakout effort from their own line started by Rene Ranger and finished under the posts by replacement Beauden Barrett after a delicious offload from Cruden.